USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley recently discussed the progress of several freshman offensive linemen during spring practice. The evaluation comes as center Kilian O’Connor is limited due to injury, prompting the coaching staff to explore different lineup combinations.

Offensive Line Depth a Priority

Despite returning experienced players like Tobias Raymond, Elijah Paige, Alani Noa, and Elijah Vaikona, the Trojans are actively developing their younger talent. Riley emphasized the importance of depth after the 2025 season, where injuries impacted the offensive line’s stability.

Freshmen Making an Impact

Riley specifically highlighted Breck Kolojay, Keenyi Pepe, Vlad Dyakonov, and Kannon Smith as standouts. “Before he got dinged up, I mean, Breck was the furthest along,” Riley stated. “And I think he’ll factor in for us some way, some how, based on what we saw the first couple of weeks.”

He continued, “Kannon Smith, we’ve repped him at center. He’s been really impressive. Pepe has a lot of really good reps. Vlad has a lot of really good reps. Those are probably the guys up to this point that have stood out the most.”

Versatility and Competition

The team opted not to pursue offensive linemen through the transfer portal, demonstrating confidence in the current roster. However, Riley is prioritizing versatility, with players like Tobias Raymond taking reps at multiple positions.

“It’s definitely a realistic option,” Riley said regarding Raymond playing center. “As we learned from last year where we had to play musical chairs with that group, like you never know what’s going to happen.” He added that rotating players allows for better evaluation and development.

O’Connor’s injury, which ended his 2025 season early against the Oregon Ducks, has further emphasized the need for a flexible offensive line. Riley believes Raymond’s experience and physical attributes will contribute to increased competition and depth when the fall season arrives.